Volume 9 - Blackstar - Respiration

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Background: Blackstar

Blackstar is two Brooklyn MCs, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli. It is my sincere opinion that the two, while separate, have no real significant careers (Sorry!), but together, form one of the best hip-hop duos next to Outkast, Mobb Deep, and Gangstarr (Yes, I count Primo.) They have a very nice chemistry, and some average solo material, however. The hip-hop world has been waiting for a Blackstar reunion, as the two are close friends, but following their debut as a group, I've heard nothing.

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The Track: Respiration, off the Blackstar album



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1h_4flXyyM


Also Check Out: Black on Both Sides (Mos Def), Eardrum/Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli)

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The Breakdown:
Lyrics

Mos Def posted:

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The new moon rode high in the crown of the metropolis
Shinin, like who on top of this?
People was tusslin, arguin and bustlin
Gangstaz of gotham hardcore hustlin
Im wrestlin with words and ideas
My ears is picky, seekin what will transmit
The scribes can apply to transcript, yo
This aint no time where the usual is suitable
Tonight alive, lets describe the inscrutable
The indisputable, we new york the narcotic
Strength in metal and fiber optics
Where mercenaries is paid to trade hot stock tips
For profits, thirsty criminals take pockets
Hard knuckles on the second hands of workin class watches
Skyscrapers is collosus, the cost of living
Is preposterous, stay alive, you play or die, no options
No batman and robin, cant tell between
The cops and the robbers, they both partners, they all heartless
With no conscience, back streets stay darkened
Where unbeliever hearts stay hardened
My eagle talons stay sharpened, like city lights stay throbbin
You either make a way or stay sobbin, the shiny apple
Is bruised but sweet and if you choose to eat
You could lose your teeth, many crews retreat
Nightly news repeat, who got shot down and locked down
Spotlight to savages, nasdaq averages
My narrative, rose to explain this existance
Amidst the harbor lights which remain in the distance

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Topic: A very different look at life in the rough city, sprinkled with clever lines, but remaining truly gritty. (Example: "I asked my man how travelin' the world sound, but he hadn't been past downtown"). It seems that the metropolis that New York seems to be is "bruised but sweet, and if you choose to eat, you could lose your teeth." Mos and Talib seem to see the city of New York as a dangerous, but beautiful place, one that comes to life even at night (Hence the track name, Respiration)

I love this track, because the guitars are so peaceful, beat is great, and I highlighted Mos Def's performance in this song because his stamp is all over it, even singing a bridge...All in all, spectacular song, one of my favorites by the crew.